What is meaning of Bhagavan?

 

Bhagavān (भगवान्) refers to “the Supreme Lord, complete in six opulences: beauty, wealth, strength, fame, knowledge and renunciation.

Bhagwan-If we take the meaning of bhagwan we find-BH(bhoomi)soil+A(aag)fire+G(gagan)sky+WA(wayu)air+N(neer)water.

Bhagwan term that refers to “god” or “lord,” particularly Krishna and other Vishnu incarnations, as well as Shiva. It is also a title of honor bestowed upon a guru or some other revered individual.

Bhagwan comes from the Sanskrit bhaga, meaning “fortune” or “wealth.” It translates as “fortunate” and “blessed.” The term is also spelled bhagavan, bhagvan and bhagawan.

Bhagwan does not show up in early texts such as the Vedas or Upanishads, but the term does appear in later literature such as the Bhagavad Gita and the Puranas. The "Vishnu Purana" defines bhagwan as “he who understands the creation and dissolution, the appearance and disappearance of beings, the wisdom and ignorance...”

In Hinduism, bhagwan indicates the Supreme Being or an abstract concept such as the Absolute Truth when conceived as a personal deity. This personal aspect differentiates bhagwan from similar terms such as Brahman.

In yoga classes, "Jai bhagwan" is as translates as “may the Divine in you be victorious," among other translations.

Brahman, the absolute, is impersonal, inactive, devoid of limiting adjuncts, and is of the nature of pristine purity of the self. Such a concept does not suggest intimate communion between Bhagavan (object of devotion) and his bhakta (devotee). A devotee craves for something concrete and substantial in the form of an object of his devotion, responsive enough to his prayers. This object is best realized in the form of Bhagavan, at times personalized as an ideal parent, husband, son or ruler. It is in this context that avatars of Bhagavan described in Puranas such as Srimad Bhagavata Purana, become meaningful.